Presented by: Jessica Vavrus , Asst. Superintendent, Teaching and Learning

1. Common Core State Standards and Assessment InitiativeInformational WebinarsSeptember and October 2010 Presented by: Jessica Vavrus, Asst. Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Joe Willhoft, Asst. Superintendent, Assessment and Student Information

2. The Common Core State Standards Initiative - Background • Beginning in the spring of 2009, Governors and state commissioners of education from 48 states, 2 territories and the District of Columbia committed to developing a common core of state K-12 English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics standards. • States agreed to participate in the development process, provide input on drafts, and consider eventual adoption. • Signing MOA did not require commitment to adopt. • The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) with assistance from Project Achieve, ACT and the College Board (SAT). OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

3. Current and Future Focus for Common State Standards Current (led by CCSSO and NGA): • K-12 English Language Arts Common Core State Standards • K-12 Mathematics Common Core State Standards Future (currently led by various national associations): • Next Generation Science Standards(draft by Fall 2011) (Framework currently under development) • English Language Development Standards (within 1 year) • Social Studies (within 2 years) • Arts (development may begin in January 2011) OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

4. Why Common Core State Standards? • Preparation: The standards articulate college- and career-readiness. They will help ensure students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in post-secondary education and training. • Competition: The standards are internationally benchmarked. Common standards will help ensure our students are globally competitive. • Clarity: The standards are focused, coherent, and clear. Clearer standards help students (and parents and teachers) understand what is expected of them. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010 Adapted from Understanding the Common Core, Achieve, June 2010

5. Why Common Core State Standards?, cont. • Equity: Expectations are consistent for all – and not dependent on a student’s state of residence. • States have time to consider what state-specific additions to the standards might look like • Collaboration: The standards create a foundation to work collaboratively across states and districts, pooling resources and expertise, to create curricular tools including textbooks, professional development, common assessments and other materials. • Opportunities for ALIGNED and CONNECTED SYSTEMS: • “Common standards” is a common thread among current and evolving national initiatives and opportunities • Standards – Instruction – Assessment OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

6. Common Core State Standards Design Building on the strength of current standards across many states, the CCSS are designed to be: • Focused, coherent, clear and rigorous • Internationally benchmarked • Anchored in college and career readiness* • Evidence and research based *Ready for first-year credit-bearing, postsecondary coursework in mathematics and English without the need for remediation. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

7. Intentional Design Limitations What the Standards do NOT define: • How teachers should teach • All that can or should be taught • The nature of advanced work beyond the core • The interventions needed for students well below grade level • The full range of support for English language learners and students with special needs • Everything needed to be college and career ready Citation: www.corestandards.org/ OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

8. Nationwide Feedback and Review for ELA and Mathematics Standards • External and State Feedback teams included: • K-12 teachers • Higher ed. faculty • State curriculum and assessments experts • Researchers • National organizations (including, but not limited, to): OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010 Adapted from Understanding the Common Core, Achieve, June 2010

9. National Process and Timeline K-12 Common Standards: • Core writing teams in English Language Arts and Mathematics (See www.corestandards.org for list of team members) drafted standards • External and state feedback teams provided on-going feedback to writing teams throughout the process • Draft K-12 standards were released for public comment on March 10, 2010; 9,600 comments received nationwide (~ 900 from WA) • Validation Committee of leading experts reviewed standards • Final standards were released June 2, 2010 As of September 8, 2010, 36 states have formally adopted the common core state standards. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

10. OVERVIEW:K-12 English Language Arts& Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsJUNE 2010

11. Current WA Standards (GLEs) – Grades K-10 Common Core ELA Standards – Grades K-12 Reading Writing Communication (includes Speaking and Listening) Media & Tech Language OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

12. Common Core Standards for English Language Arts • College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards • Overarching standards for each strand that are further defined by grade-specific standards • Grade-Level Standards in English Language Arts • K-8, grade-by-grade • 9-10 and 11-12 grade bands for high school • Four strands: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language • Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects • Standards are embedded at grades K-5 • Content-specific literacy standards are provided for grades 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12 • Media and Technology are integrated throughout the standards. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

13. Design and Organization • Three main sections • K−5 (cross-disciplinary) • 6−12 English Language Arts • 6−12 Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (Shared responsibility for students’ literacy development) • Three appendices • Appendix A: Research and evidence; glossary of key terms, overview of each strand • Appendix B: Reading text exemplars; sample performance tasks • Appendix C: Annotated student writing samples OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

14. Key Advances Reading • Balance of literature and informational texts • Text complexity Writing • Emphasis on writing argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative texts • Emphasis on research Speaking and Listening • Inclusion of formal and informal talk Language • Value of general academic and domain-specific vocabulary • Emphasis on the conventions of English and the effective use of language OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

15. OVERVIEW: K-12 Common Core State Standards for Mathematics June 2010

16. Common Core Standards for Mathematics • Grade-Level Standards • K-8 grade-by-grade standards organized by domain • 9-12 high school standards organized by conceptual categories (Number & Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Modeling, Geometry, Statistics & Probability) • Course progressions included in Appendices • Some standards go beyond “career and college readiness level” (e.g., STEM concepts, denoted by “+”) are a thread throughout but go beyond what all students will need to know and at high school may lead to a 4th year of math • Standards for Mathematical Practice • Describe mathematical “habits of mind” • Standards for mathematical proficiency: reasoning, problem solving, modeling, decision making, and engagement • Carry across grade levels and connect with content standards in each grade OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

17. Design and Organization Grade Level Overviews (Example) OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

18. Key Advances Focus and coherence • Focus on key topics at each grade level. • Coherent progressions across grade levels. Balance of concepts and skills • Content standards require both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Mathematical practices • Foster reasoning and sense-making in mathematics. College and career readiness • Level is ambitious but achievable. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

19. The Washington Context for Considering Adoption of CCSS • Involvement since November 2009 • Review and input on drafts of English language arts and mathematics standards • 2010 legislation (E2SSB 6696, Section 601) provides for: • “Provisional adoption” by the Superintendent by Aug. 2, 2010 • Detailed report due to Legislature in Jan. 2011 • To include: detailed comparison, timeline and costs, recommendations for possible additions • Formal adoption and implementation will begin following 2011 session unless otherwise directed by the Legislature OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

20. The Washington Context, cont. • Now is the time to begin revision of WA Reading and Writing standards (originally developed in 2005) • WA participation in SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium… OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

21. Overview of the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium Joe Willhoft, Asst. Supt. Assessment and Student Information OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

22. Background • US Department of Education has awarded grants to two multi-state consortia for the Race-to-the-Top Assessment Program • SMARTER Balanced (WA is one of 31 states involved) • PARCC • $160 million 4-year grant, starting October 1, 2010

23. The Purpose of the Consortium To develop a set of comprehensive and innovative assessments for grades 3-8 and high school in English language arts and mathematics aligned to the Common Core State Standards. The assessments shall be operational across Consortium states in the 2014-15 school year. Note: States must have formally adopted the Common Core State Standards by January 2012 in order to remain in the Consortium. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

24. SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium -- Member States -- OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

25. A 31-State Consortium Fiscal Agent: Washington State OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

26. Consortium Governance OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

27. The Goal of the Consortium To ensure that all students leave high school prepared for postsecondary success in college or a career through increased student learning and improved teaching. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

28. The Challenge ...to here? How do we get from here... Common Core State Standards specify K-12 expectations for college and career readiness All students leave high school college and career ready ...and, how does an assessment system contribute to this effort? OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

29. The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium A theory of action • A model of verifiable accomplishments/milestones, leading to the desired outcome • Accomplishments/milestones are inter-dependent • The theory of action is closely linked to the validation argument for the assessment system

30. The SMARTER Balanced Theory of Action Technology supports innovative & comprehensive assessments Technology provides increased access to learning Summative adaptive assessments are benchmarked to college & career readiness State policies and practices support increased expectations Clear communication of expectations to stakeholders Teachers use formative tools and practices to improve instruction All students leave high school college and career ready Common Core State Standards specify K-12 expectations for college and career readiness Professional capacity-building PD and other supports for teachers to instruct on the CCSS Teachers design and score assessment items & tasks Interim/Benchmark assessments are used as progress checks

31. The SMARTER Balanced Theory of Action Technology supports innovative & comprehensive assessments Technology provides increased access to learning Summative adaptive assessments are benchmarked to college & career readiness State policies and practices support increased expectations Clear communication of expectations to stakeholders Teachers use formative tools and practices to improve instruction All students leave high school college and career ready Common Core State Standards specify K-12 expectations for college and career readiness Professional capacity-building PD and other supports for teachers to instruct on the CCSS Teachers design and score assessment items & tasks Interim/Benchmark assessments are used as progress checks

32. System Highlights Summative assessments using online computer adaptive technologies • Efficiently provide accurate measurement of all students, across the spectrum of knowledge and skills • Incorporate adaptive precision into performance tasks and events • Will assess full range of CCSS in English language arts and mathematics • Describe both current achievement and growth across time, showing progress toward college- and career-readiness • Scores can be reliably used for state-to-state comparability, with standards set against research-based benchmarks • The option of giving the summative tests twice a year. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

33. System Highlights Optional interim/benchmark and formative assessments • Are aligned to and reported on the same scale as the summative assessments • Help identify specific needs of each student, so teachers can provide appropriate, targeted instructional assistance • Incorporate significant involvement of teachers in item and task design and scoring • Are non-secure and fully accessible for use in instruction and professional development activities • Provide students and teachers with clear examples of the expected performance on common standards. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

34. System Highlights Online, tailored reporting system • Supports educator access to information about student progress toward college- and career-readiness • Allows for exchange of student performance history across districts and states • Uses a Consortium-supported backbone, while individual states retain jurisdiction over access permissions and front-end “look” of online reports. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

35. System Highlights Benefits and efficiencies from “economies of scale” due to a multi-state consortium • Cost savings: SMARTER English language arts/mathematics estimated at ~$21 per student (below current for almost all SBAC states) • [Interim/benchmark & formative an additional ~$7 per student] • Shared interoperable open source software platforms: Item generation, item banking, and adaptive testing no longer exclusive property of vendors • Common, agreed-upon protocols for accommodations for students with disabilities and ELL students. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

36. The Deliverables and the Future SMARTER Balanced Consortium Deliverables: • A set of comprehensive and innovative assessments for grades 3-8 and high school in English language arts and mathematics aligned to the Common Core State Standards to be used in the 2014-15 school year. The future… • Support for special education students (1% assessment consortium) – assessments to be based on current Common Core State Standards OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

37. To find out more... ...the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium can be found online at www.k12.wa.us/SMARTER OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

38. Questions OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

39. Washington’s Next Steps

40. What does this mean for Washington State’s Learning Goals? • The four State Learning Goals from the 1993 Basic Education Act remain intact. • Read with comprehension, write effectively, and communicate successfully in a variety of ways and settings and with a variety of audiences; • Know and apply the core concepts and principles of mathematics; social, physical, and life sciences; civics and history, including different cultures and participation in representative government; geography; arts; and health and fitness; • Think analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate different experiences and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems; and • Understand the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

41. What does this mean for Washington’s existing Learning Standards? • Washington’s current Learning Standards in all subjects should continue to be implemented in classrooms. • Current state assessments will align with these standards through the 2013-14 school year. • If the Common Core State English language arts and mathematics standards are formally adopted in WA, • They would be phased in over 2 years to replace WA’s current reading, writing, and mathematics standards by the 2014-15 year. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

42. Washington’s Timeline July 2010 • Provisional adoption announced July 19th August – December 2010 • Complete and share comparisons between WA standards and Common Core • External educator and stakeholder input / involvement • Conduct statewide information sessions in collaboration with stakeholders • Solicit input on additions and other implementation considerations (including what resources (materials, professional development, etc.) would be needed for implementation) *** • Complete legislative report (due January 2011) OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

43. Washington’s Timeline, cont. January – April 2011 • 2011 Legislative Session underway • Formal adoption and implementation will begin following 2011 session unless otherwise directed by the Legislature • Continue collaboration within SMARTER Balanced Assessment consortium April 2011 – and beyond (assuming formal adoption) • Develop Resources, Train Staff, Phase-in and Implement Common Core Standards • Develop comprehensive assessment system with full implementation in 2014-15 school year. OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

44. Draft Implementation Timeline Summer 2010 to the 2014-2015 School Year Phase 1Adopt, Align & Plan 1. Provisional adoption (E2SSB 6696) 2. Gather input on strategy for implementation Phase 2Communicate, Develop Process, Resources for Transition &Implementation Phase 3 Transition to Common Core Standards Phase 4Implementation 1. Spring 2014—pilot the assessment system 2. September 2014-June 2015—full implementation with state-wide assessment system. This is the time to consider and plan for transitioning, while continuing to implement our current standards. It is not the time to stop strong, standards-based instruction… OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

45. Phase 1: Questions for School District Input… • What are the benefits and challenges these initiatives bring to WA school districts? • What key information and/or messages do your districts need regarding: • Common Core State Standards Initiative • SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium • When is this information needed? • What are the best methods of communication? OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

46. Phase 1: Questions for School District Input… • For your districts, what would be needed during each Phase to support transitioning to the standards? • Support / Communication materials • Professional Development • Other? • What would be effective approach/es for supporting districts in transitioning to the standards? • What are some specific examples of “costs” to implement standards?

47. Common Core State Standards Compared with Washington Standards

48. Comparison Overview • Two state-level comparisons • External Analysis – Hanover Research (final drafts completed) • Washington-led Comparison (work done in late August; currently being compiled) • Multiple purposes • Snapshot of “how well” WA standards match to the CCS • Snapshot of “how well” CCS match to WA standards • So that… • WA educators can have a clear understanding of CCS in relation to current standards • We can determine what areas may need augmentation in which grades for subsequent support OSPI Common Core Information Sessions Sept. & Oct. 2010

49. What does it look like? Examples from Reading and Writing

50. Hanover ELA Analysis